When we think about Pakistan, adventure sports is probably the last thing that comes to our mind. It’s no secret that the common misconception is that to do anything ‘cool’ one absolutely must go abroad. This, however, is where we are completely wrong. Contrary to popular beliefs, Pakistan is actually a great place for adventure sports! From extremely adventurous cliff diving to a somewhat mild activity, scuba diving, Pakistan offers a variety of adventure/recreational activities that one must know about! Here are 5 adventure sports you can try out in Pakistan!

Cliff diving:

Jump off a cliff that can be as high as 50 feet depending on the water level of the Khanpur dam and you will get an adrenaline rush like never before. From the minute you approach the cliff, to the time you start climbing, your heart will start beating faster. The minute you reach the top and look below at the beautifully blue water, you will hear your heartbeat inside your ears. The minute you actually jump, you will feel your heart sink. The moments between when you touch the water and when you go underwater for a couple of seconds will be a combination of relief and fear. Is the entire experience worth it? Absolutely!

Paragliding:

Would you like to see the world below you while sitting in a harness suspended below a fabric wing? The only thing keeping you from falling to the ground actually, is going to be that harness. While this may seem like something you can only enjoy abroad, paragliding is offered in Pakistan and is highly popular amongst many young Pakistanis. Various locations include the Khanpur dam which seems like a hub of adventure sports, River Ravi and Hunza valley.

River rafting:

Battling the waves of an angry river, protected merely by an inflated raft, river rafting can give you the adrenaline rush you want. Luckily, you don’t necessarily need to visit some exotic river located in the tropical region to experience this. You can experience it in Pakistan’s very own River Kunhar, the river that flows right next to Naran and Kaghan! Enjoy a thrilling journey down the river with waves splashing against the raft eventually leaving you soaking wet.

Skiing:

You don’t have to travel all the way to Europe to stay at an overpriced ski resort to enjoy this sport. A trip to Swat will be sufficient for you to enjoy this activity! Malam Jabba is a Hill Station in the Hindu Kush mountain range nearly 40 km from Saidu Sharif in the Swat Valley which is an immensely popular ski resort. The best part is you won’t even have to travel too much to get there!

Rock climbing:

Do you enjoy climbing steep slopes and rocky mountains? If you aren’t afraid of heights and adventure, a trip to Fairy Meadows is a must for you. You’ll trek for almost 2.5 hours to ultimately reach the base camp of the killer mountain, Nanga Parbat. If you go at a time when it’s still snowing (which it is for most of the year) the trek will be longer and more tedious. Upon reaching the destination, however, you will most certainly find yourselves in heaven!